Understanding Fido

06/04/2025

These dang invisible onions that I am nowhere near and not cutting.
🥹❤
Way to go, Kiddo...and congrats to your family for raising such a special human. Please keep that kind heart.

Every adoption that we do is special. But sometimes there is one that just sticks out in the hearts of our staff. This is the case for Waylon’s adoption. ❤️

After waiting 95 days for someone to notice just how special he was, Waylon hit the JACKPOT. When Marvy came with her son to “just look around,” we knew instantly they were amazing adopters. Her son asked so many great questions not only about Waylon’s personality, but how to help him safe and healthy with heartworm prevention and microchips. Our staff were truly blown away by this young man.

And if that does not give you an insight into how prepared this young man was to adopt a dog, he even dressed up for the adoption! Just look at that fancy outfit! When asked why he dressed up, he simply replied that it was a “special occasion.” 🥹

Now Waylon is living his BEST life. He not only is spoiled (he has racked up quite the Petco and Amazon haul of new stuff lol) but he never leaves his new best friend’s side. From sharing a bed at night to hanging out with his new duck friends (yes, you read that correctly), Waylon and his new family were meant to be! 🥰

* Check out Waylon and Cai’s new social media on Instagram and TikTok: @ waylonandcai *

05/27/2025

Anything fun to report from your long weekends with your Fidos? The Furry Foster Kid got a few more vehicle miles in, got a pretty solid foundation with fetch and tug (complete with sitting/waiting and "drop" to support arousal level), started learning about long-line walks for exploring fields and woods, and got a baby intro to some agility equipment with a kind "stranger" who quickly became his new best friend. He was pretty fearless!
I believe we are working against a significant lack of socialization pre-Rescue, but he's trying so hard! He's super smart and up for all things that use his body, brain and nose. I am extremely curious about who he turns out to be as he learns more about the world. I have a little gut feeling that he might really dig tracking work. Stay tuned...

05/20/2025

Sometimes in life, things just have to happen. That said, The Furry Foster Kid's drive here from 2.5 hours away was no fun for anyone, per the volunteer's report. Poor Kid, poor volunteer, poor car. 😔

As soon as enough trust was there, I started giving him new ideas about vehicles. It didn't start with a drive...it started with looking at the car from a distance. IOW...the epitome of "the slower you go, the faster you get there"!

The Kid has been doing a great job progressing through the steps of Life With Cars, staying relaxed and with no need for "clean up" upon arrival back at the farm! 🙃
❤GrowingTheKid'sWorld❤

05/16/2025

How is it that The Fido Family just gets cuter and cuter?! 🙃
❤Mozzi&LuLu❤

05/15/2025

"novelty-based enrichment" in action. Not only was the empty Amazon box a great "tool" but so was the LONG strip of packing paper. Following me (out of curiosity) as I dragged it around the house was an opportunity to engage/disengage without pressure and as confidence level allowed. In addition, it was also a pre-school skill for off-leash walking and recall through connection and curiosity. Free exploration with the paper engaged his nose, ears, and mouth while also experiencing "handling" as the paper "touched" a bunch of body parts. (Notice how he processed his feet/legs being "touched" as he was a little tangled. Preschool skill for nail trims and grooming!) Your recycling bin is your best friend for daily DIY enrichment opportunities!

05/14/2025

A picture may be worth 1,000 words, but the one that tops the list for me with this one is JOY!
❤Piper❤

05/12/2025

A little smile for you on this rainy day! The Furry Foster Kid is doing a great job with all-things-life! ❤️

05/07/2025

🙃Zero!🙃
(who can name the movie...without Googling it?!)

05/05/2025

This weekend marked 4 weeks since The Furry Foster Kid's arrival. About a week ago, I captured his lightbulb moment re: the agreement we have in our home for what human meal prep time should look like dog-wise.
I didn't ask him to do this. I still haven't taught him all of The Words And The Phrases. But...(raise your hand if you've heard me talk about this)...by regularly "capturing" the choices he makes that are in align with what we humans would like to see in our daily routine---and by we humans being very mindful of not accidentally reinforcing The Kid when he offers a guess that doesn't line up with said daily routine---he actually came to this conclusion on his own. 🥰

05/01/2025

😍Cooper😍

04/30/2025

The Furry Foster Kid's literal first attempt at "farmer's market position". Nice work, Kid. ❤️
Foundation: built ✔️
Expectations: fair ✔️

04/29/2025

If we've done work together with your Baby Fidos, especially if said Baby Fido is an Only Pup, there is a good chance we've talked about the how and why of adding a Karl to your life.
I stumbled upon a Karl for The Furry Foster Kid...super great find in the Easter clearance area of Harris Teeter...only $15! To answer your question...yes, I pretty much AM always looking at the world with the dogs in mind! 🤣 (video of initial intro of the new friend❤)